KINGMAN - Angel Manor Inc. held its annual celebration Aug. 15 with an Alumni and Friends Lunch and Open House at its location in the Butler area.

The Kingman shelter for women and their children is a faith-based clean and sober recovery house for alcohol and drug addiction. It has been joined by a men's shelter with the same goals called the Whiteard House.

The event included food, non-alcoholic drinks, and several testimonies by people whose lives have been changed by their time at the Angel Manor or the Whiteard House. Owner/Director Wendy Weaver started Angel Manor 14 years ago to "embrace the faith and hope of recovery."

Kendre Thunstrom was one of those people. She came to Kingman two years ago while still struggling with addiction. When her mother died, she said she was angry at God. When she came to the Angel Manor she sat on the porch after calming down and apologized to God.

At this point Thunstrom noted that her mother's favorite animal was the hummingbird and favorite color was blue. She said that it was then that a blue hummingbird flew by and sat still near her not far away.

She said she was greatly moved by this sight.

Thunstrom has been with Angel Manor ever since, and is now house manager there.

Now she thanks God. She also thanked Weaver profusely and said she is very blessed to have her in her life.

Thunstrom's fiancé, Josh Parker, is manager of Whiteard House. He, too, had nothing but good things to say about the place and emphasized that it is very family oriented.

For more information on Angel Manor or the Whiteard House, call Wendy at (928) 530-9812.